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VIRTUE OF MERCY
DUTY TO CARRY OUT MERCIFUL DEEDS

Excerpts from the Book,
GOD'S MERCY IN HIS WORKS,
written by Dr. Fr. Michael Sopocko

Virtue of mercy is a brotherly bondage of people, the vigilant mother, who brings relieve, saves everyone who suffers. It is an image of God's Providence because it has an open eye for everyone's needs, but first of all is an Image of Merciful God, as Our Lord said: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6,36).

We should understand, that this virtue is not only advisable, but it is a duty of every Christian. A lot of people share a mistaken view that carrying out merciful deeds is only an act of grace and sacrifice which depends on one's will and good heart. However, the truth is totally different. The virtue of mercy is not an advice, which one can apply or give up without a sin, but it is our lawful duty. There is none who can be justified for not carrying out merciful deeds.

This conclusion comes from Holy Bible, from voice of our intellect and our brotherhood. The virtue of mercy has already taken place in Old Testament. In Moses' books we can read: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." (Dt 15,11).
Even to a greater degree Our Saviour puts the duty of mercy upon us. Depicting the Judgement Day, He put the following words in the mouth of the King: "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Mt 25,41).

The lack of merciful deeds towards our neighbours can be the only reason for being rejected by Our Lord. "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me" (Mt 25, 42 - 45).

Following His Words there is no need to prove that the virtue of mercy is our main duty because Our just Heavenly Father cannot punish us for what is not our duty. Numerous verses of Holy Bible tell us about the "earthly" reward for our merciful deeds towards our neighbours. "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done" (Pro 19,17).
Even greater rewards for merciful people promises Jesus Christ: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you"
(Lk 6,38).

Reward for the merciful deeds does not end up on earthly things. The spiritual prize is hundred fold more precious. This reward, in all is confined to the one word: Forgiveness and God's grace. It is the greatest goodness, the most precious treasure, and the most dear pearl which one can find easily by practising the virtue of Mercy. If one has happened to weaken his faith, let him be merciful and undoubtedly he will find the lost heavenly light. If one has not known yet Our Lord's Mercifulness, therefore is not able to follow him, let him begin with practising virtue of mercy towards one's neighbours and for sure Our Lord's words will come true: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Mt 5,7).

Virtue of Mercy brings upon us God's Grace and Light, washes away our sins leading towards the Sacrament of Reconciliation, saves our soul from eternal death, as it is stated in Holy Bible: "Alms are a worthy offering in the sight of the Most High for all who give them" (Tb 4,11).

In order to receive heavenly reward for merciful deeds one has to meet some conditions: intentions behind the deeds should be pure; the deeds should be carried out continuously, joyfully and should not depend on personal preferences.

It is a great privilege for us to follow God's steps in carrying out His Merciful deeds
by leading out our brothers and sisters from poverty or healing their bodies and souls.

What a joy it is for us, that Our Lord allows us, in such an easy way to pay for our sins and deserve our eternal reward.

DEEDS OF MERCY IN SPIRIT

Lord Jesus to said of Saint Faustina: "...I need sacrifice lovingly accomplished, because that alone has meaning for Me. Enormous indeed are the debts of the world which are due to Me; pure souls can pay them by their sacrifice, exercising mercy in spirit" (Diary, 1316).

"...but write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy" (Diary, 1317).

PRAYING FOR OTHERS

"It pleases Me to grant everything souls ask of Me by saying the chaplet. When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one. Write this for the benefit of distressed souls; when a soul sees and realizes the gravity of its sins, when the whole abyss of the misery into which it immersed itself is displayed before its eyes, let it not despair, but with trust let it throw itself into the arms of My mercy, as a child into the arms of its beloved mother (...). Tell them no soul that has called upon My mercy has been disappointed or brought to shame. I delight particularly in a soul that has placed its trust in My goodness. Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior" (Diary, 1541).

"At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated and unfathomable mercy envelops the soul" (Diary, 811).

In the spiritual unity with Saint Faustina, the Prayer Community of the Merciful Jesus’ Apostles attached to the Congregation of Sisters of the Merciful Jesus cordially invites worshippers
of God’s Mercy to participate

in THE UNCEASING PRAYER WITH THE CHAPLET TO THE DIVINE MERCY
for the intention of begging the grace of Mercy for the dying.

A donor may be anyone who declares everyday prayer at a definite time. We hope that by this
way we shall fulfill the Lord Jesus’ wish and contribute to the receiving trustfully the grace
of salvation by dying persons in our families and around the world.

Declaration of prayers for the intention for the dying can be sent to the address:

THE CONGREGATION OF SISTERS OF THE MERCIFUL JESUS The House of the Contemplative
66-350 Bledzew, ul. Koscielna 7 (Poland)
tel.: (00 48 95) 743 60 12
e-mail: sanktuarium@jezuufamtobie.pl

The pledge form should be sent to:
1 person ......... a family ........ a group of people ........ Monastic Congregation ........
Surname .......................................... First name ...............................................
Address ..............................................................................................................

The chaplet to the Divine Mercy

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